It's Taco Mondays at Diamonds, and Gomega Mondays in the Azeka Shopping Center in Kihei - MauiTime

Better yet, it should be said, it's Gomega Mondays at Diamonds.


Gomega's set kicks off at 10pm -- with the bar filling steadidly in the minutes before hand -- and takes you through to the closing hour. When I greeted Kanoa (that's "K-A-N-O-A, from Upountry Maui," who I've oft heard hailed as "Maui's most versitile/talented musician") this evening, he said succinctly, "Yeah, we going make a little noise tonight," and sound checked with the most soulful "Red Robin" commercial hook (followed by a touch of Whitney Houston -- a preview of the set to come, which the guy next to me at the bar says, "is probably better than (Whitney) could sing it herself, right now... And in a lower octave is more sensual...") the world's ever heard.

But this is a foodie blog, so I'll get to the dish:

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"Your choice of one soft taco or one hard taco with chicken or ground beef. Topped with lettuce, pico de gallo and cheese."


And each, just $2 a piece.

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For lovers of spice, these are essentials in the arsenal. As for me, I use Sriracha exclusively.

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Rolling my sleeves up for my second endeavor, it was apparent they don't skip on the protein stuffers. It's hard not to rejoice in finely chopped lettuce and flavorful shredded chicken. The beef is steeped in a sweet sauce akin to the smell of fish food -- in the best way, really -- but turn your tastebud party into a rave by getting the chicken in a true-blue crispy shell.

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The Monday specials board, tonight.

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More Mondat specials, tonight.


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Wow, the $2 tacos look awesome. We already know Gomega is great. Sounds like a bit of Monday night action at Diamonds is required.

Award Winning Chocolatier Melanie Boudar Brings Her Sweet Luxury to Maui

More chocolate on Maui is a good thing. But what is really interesting is her open kitchen concept opening on the West Side. The Wailea shop sounds fantastic too. Details were said best by the press release below.

Award Winning Hawaii Chocolatier Brings Sweet Luxury to Maui

 

Lahaina, Maui  Oct 9th, 2010

Sweet Paradise Chocolatier, an artisan chocolate company owned by Melanie Boudar with a retail location in Kailua, Oahu is expanding its horizons to Maui.

The company has relocated its production kitchen from the Big Island of Hawaii to the Lahaina Design Center in West Maui due to open mid October. It will be an open concept kitchen where customers can order a handmade hot chocolate or 100% Hawaiian  drip/French press coffee, and sit and watch the artisan chocolates being made. You may also purchase a guided tasting flight of world origin chocolates including Hawaii grown chocolate. 

  Customers can purchase fresh take home boxes of chocolates direct from the kitchen showcase which will tempt you with its myriad of  colors ,textures and flavors such as Coconut Curry, Lilikoi Silk, Mango Mojito, Cappucino Tiramisu Lime in the Coconut, Lemon Basil with Pink Peppercorn or Wasbe Ginger Sesame. Melanie creates over 40 unique and tropical flavor truffles and confections, whose hand painted artistry looks like edible gems, and is made with premium dark , milk and white chocolates.

Melanie chose the Lahaina Design Center after meeting award- winning kitchen designer Rick Cowan of Archipelago Maui. Archipelago built out the unique commercial kitchen for Sweet Paradise Chocolatier  which looks more like a TV set from the Food Network than an industrial kitchen.  The Lahaina Design Center and Sweet Paradise Chocolatier plan to host various chocolate and cooking classes plus  foodie events in the new space.

Sweet Paradise Chocolatier has also signed a lease with the new Wailea Gateway Center, Piilani Hwy at Wailea Ike Dr and will join other fine retailers and restaurants like Merrimans, Pita Paradise and Waterlily Boutique in that location. The store is scheduled to open in time for Xmas and will also feature Tropical Dreams Premium Ice Cream, Gelato and Sorbets, made on the Big Island . In her signature style Melanie has designed the store interior to showcase the world origins of fine chocolate from the colorful cocoa pods produced by the tree to finished bars and confections.  The store will feature a life size replica of a cacao tree created by artist Elizabeth Miller of Volcano.

Melanie has won numerous awards for her chocolate artistry including the Coveted Judges Choice award 3 years running at the Kona Chocolate Festival, Kailua Chamber of Commerce’s best new Business in 2009 , 2010 Talk of the Town Customer Service award, and The Edible Hawaiian Islands Magazine Local Hero Food Artisan award in 2010.

 

More information contact: Melanie Boudar Hawaiichocolate@gmail.com

Or (808) 557-5358  www.sweetparadisechocolate.com

                                                          
Melanie Boudar
At the Craters Edge
Luxury Lodging at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Sweet Paradise Chocolatier
Lahaina and Wailea, Maui   Kailua, Oahu





Kaanapali sunset @westinmaui is divine as the new Okole Wow cocktail from Tropica and pupus of course

They have couches in the back of the bar, that look right out to our adjacent island of Lana'i. Comfy, casual a great happy hour that changes daily. I just like the vibe, and their fancy cocktails.

Flatbread is ono

New caledonia prawns (farmed in melanesia)

Seared diver scallops

Okole wow cocktail is new on the menu.

I love the beet color of the drink that comes from the jar of wild hibiscus flowers in syrup.

The alcohol in this is okolehao from haleakala distillers. An old school recipe involving ti plant extracts in a base of rum. It is a liqueur in this case. This drink is very good, the hibiscis flavor and aroma are exotic.

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Sweet Ride: Madsen bike's got a 40 gall bucket in the back @madsenscycles

Madsen Cycles Cargo Bikes

I love this bike. It has a lot of urban chic going on. I am wondering what its performance on hills is like, I live on one. How heavy is this bike? I have two poodles and a 4 year old to tote around.

Biking with cargo makes me think of my travels in mexico. They have a three wheeled bike with two in the front one in the back. The front of the bike can hold a large basket, a cooler, a flat bed kind of thing. Its a very versatile design. The Madsen design is much more sleek, and european inspired.